Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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Monday May 3 Red-shirt rally live updates

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NATION EXCLUSIVE/ANALYSIS

With red shirts on back foot, Thaksin re-emerges

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former premier claims he's not behind the turmoil in Bangkok and maintains he is very loyal to His Majesty in an exclusive telephone interview with Nation Group reporter Naya Jaikawang

It might have been coincidental, but the timing of Thaksin Shinawatra to return from his "death" was almost perfect. In a flurry of local and international media interviews, he has unceremoniously repelled continual rumours that he had died last week - and given the red shirts much needed breathing space.

The public backlash over the Chulalongkorn Hospital invasion had pinned the red shirts against the ropes, but "Thaksin is alive" may prove sexy enough to distract some from the controversy.

If Thaksin's disappearance from the red shirts' stage - his last video link was on April 9 - was ambiguous, his re-emergence seemed quite out of the blue.

Nation Group reporter Naya Jaikawang did not expect much when she made a phone call to interview Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee, one of the MPs closest to Thaksin, to ask him about latest reports that Thaksin had ordered Pheu Thai MPs to re-mobilise people to support the anti-government protesters.

Naturally, the topic of "Is Thaksin still alive" came up. Pracha said he just talked to Thaksin on Saturday and, unexpectedly, gave Naya his phone number.

At 3pm yesterday, she called the number, without expecting much, and someone "who sounded undoubtedly Thaksin" answered.

"I'm from Nation Group sir," she said. "Can I talk to you?"

"Oh.. of course you can. But my plane is taking off any minute now. Can you call again in a few hours?" the voice said. She agreed and the brief conversation ended.

At 6.50pm, she dutifully called again. The same familiar voice answered.

"Are you Thaksin?" she asked. "Yes I am. And I am not a ghost," he replied.

Story continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...s-30128446.html

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Cabinet acknowledges need for Army move against red-shirt demonstrators

By PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday acknowledged the need for the use of Army force against red-shirt pro-testers occupying the Rajprasong intersection, as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva grimly warned the public in his weekly address to expect undesired results from future government action.

A closed-door Cabinet meet-ing accepted a bigger role for armed troops who, since the "Black Saturday" drama on April 10, have still played mostly a sec-ondary role to police comman-dos.

"The government's action from now on will carry the risk of clashes or losses which could affect the feeling of the general public," Abhisit said. "But the government has its duty and will have to do what needs to be done."

It was Abhisit's first such pub-lic statement. He and other top officials yesterday reiterated the government's determination to reclaim the Rajprasong intersec-tion from the protesters. An SMS campaign will be launched to persuade as many demonstrators as possible to leave the area.

Abhisit said the government had made significant progress in inquiries into a series of inci-dents, which he said confirmed suspicion that some were acts of terrorism.

Yesterday's emergency Cabinet meeting followed an invasion of Chulalongkorn Hospital by some protesters that increased pressure on the gov-ernment to deal with the pro-longed rally.

"We want the operation to take place as soon as possible so we will do everything we can to ensure the least losses and maxi-mum safety for people involved," said acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Panitan denied that the Cabinet discussed the possibility of impos-ing martial law in the area.

Sources said that the use of force had been allowed under the declared state of emergency, but Premier Abhisit still wanted to seek Cabinet endorsement.

"The prime minister wanted every step to be taken with trans-parency and clear-cut proce-dures," one source said.

According to the sources, there were questions and debate during the Cabinet meeting as to when troops would really act to reclaim the Rajprasong intersec-tion. Those responsible for secu-rity replied that troops would only act when "circumstances permit", with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan being quoted as saying: "We can do it today, right now, but who will take responsibility if there is loss of life?"

Yesterday's emergency Cabinet meeting also discussed a long-term plan to overhaul the political system, government offi-cials said. A national road map is expected to be announced by the prime minister once it is com-pleted.

The road map brings together proposals and opinions from all relevant state agencies, private organisations as well as key social networks. "It will be announced when ready and |once it is announced, all state mecha-nisms will immediately begin implementation," Panitan said.

Meanwhile, Abhisit has coordi-nated with the Senate to allow a live broadcast of the Upper House's addresses on the politi-cal crisis that would cover recent violent incidents. However, the live broadcast by TV Channel 11, starting at 9.30am, will black out any replay of audio or video clips that could inflame the political situation.

Abhisit will take part in the Senate session along with the Defence minister, the Interior minister, the Justice minister, the Education minister, the ICT minister, the Public Health min-ister, the Foreign minister and PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtoey.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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CHULA INVASION

Hospital operations still restricted

By The Nation

Red shirts refuse to remove barriers to the full extent requested

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn Hospital director Dr Adisorn Pattaradool insisted yesterday the hospital would resume full operations only if red-shirt protesters relocate their rally and make way for traffic from the Rama VI monument to Sarasin intersection.

He dismissed red shirt leaders' claims that the hospital had agreed to resume operations and allowed the reds to spread their activities from the monument to the intersection.

"The red shirt leaders can make any claim but society knows who is believable,'' he said.

Adisorn said he had never had direct communication with red-shirt leaders but passed his demands via the police.

He said he demanded the protesters relocate out of the area close to the hospital's three high rises - Sor Kor, Por Phor Ror and Aor Phor Por Ror buildings, for the safety of patients and their relatives.

Adisorn said he had lost trust in the red shirts after they backtracked on their promise that only five would come in to check if security forces were hiding in the hospital - and hundreds poured into the hospital last Thursday.

He feared if there was a crackdown on protesters, the red shirts would again come inside the hospital and create turmoil.

The hospital's doctors and nurses gathered yesterday and sang the national anthem and read a statement dismissing any allegations that linked the hospital to politics. The statement urged the public to heed the hospital's statement to prevent any confusion.

Meanwhile, red-shirt protesters have removed bunkers, tyres, bamboo and metal barricades on Rajdamri road to allow patients access to Chulalongkorn Hospital through the emergency entrance and Sor Kor building.

However, they refused to relocate the rally site from the monument of King Rama VI to Sarasin intersection as demanded by the hospital.

During the removing of bunkers, the red shirts booed and jeered in anger that they had to bow to police demands to remove some barricades.

Leader Nattawut Saikua, said the red shirts regretted the hospital invasion incident and would show their remorse by removing barricades blocking entrances to the hospital and allowing police to check cars entering and leaving the area. The red-shirt guards would only observe the police checks.

He said the red shirts agreed to remove bunkers on Rajdamri Road because they wanted to exhibit great respect and gratitude to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who expressed concern about the safety of hospital staff when she visited the Supreme Patriarch at the hospital.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his weekly television programme the government had earlier proposed security forces be stationed at Chulalongkorn Hospital as a safety measure. However the hospital's management turned down the proposal, reasoning it wanted to remain politically neutral and believed that having security forces there would make the hospital a target for attack.

He said he instructed the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation to make the protesters leave the area as required by the hospital so it could resume operations in safety.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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POLITICAL DEADLOCK

House dissolution in six months, not three:

By The Nation

Published on May 3, 2010

Accept a House dissolution within six months - instead of three months - or forget about any negotiations with the government.

That was the ultimatum given yesterday to red-shirt protesters by Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang.

Charnchai, the Puea Pandin Party leader, who spoke before the special Cabinet meeting to find solutions to the political crisis, told reporters the country could not face more severe political problems than the yellow-shirt rallies.

The government was willing to compromise by cutting down its proposed timeframe to disband the House from nine to six months, he said.

The red shirts' latest deadline of three months has been rejected by the government.

Charnchai lashed out at Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong for demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down to end all problems.

"I believe his proposal is like a likay performance," he said, referring to Thai folk opera.

Thepthai Senpong, personal spokesman of the Democrat Party leader, also criticised Snoh's recipe for defusing the crisis by the revoking the Internal Security Act, lifting the state of emergency, relocating the red-shirt rally and forming a national committee to run the country.

Snoh should ask the red shirts to end their rallies first, he said.

Snoh's call for Abhisit to make way for an interim government might have an ulterior motive grounded in political ambition, which might not be that different from Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's aspirations, he said.

Both of them desired to rise to the post of prime minister, because their supporters want some articles of the 2007 Constitution suspended. The charter bans non-MPs from becoming premier.

"Snoh should carefully think if he is neutral enough to be PM," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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APRIL 10 TRAGEDY

Families of protesters killed to lodge complaint against PM

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Families of 21 demonstrators killed on April 10 will lodge complaints against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban in the Criminal Court next Monday under arrangements devised by the Democratic Alliance for Democracy Against Dictatorship (DAAD).

"Dr Cherdchai Tantisirin will lead these families to the court," DAAD leader Dr weng Tojirakarn said yesterday.

He said lawyers were preparing papers necessary for the case.

"We have obtained a copy of Abhisit's order. He ordered the troops to disperse the demonstrators," weng said.

There were violent clashes at Khok Wua intersection on April 10 when soldiers sought to disperse red-shirt protesters (the DAAD). The dispersal was hampered by an attack on government troops by "men in black" and ended with casualties on both sides. Up to 25 people died while more than 800 others were injured.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday he planned to pursue the matter in the Civil Court and the International Criminal Court, although there appears little chance of it going that far.

"The defendants will be Abhisit, Suthep, and all board members of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES)," Prompong said.

He said the order to disperse demonstrators caused huge casualties and they should be held accountable.

Many injured victims and families of those killed victims showed up at Pheu Thai Party headquarters yesterday to authorise the party's legal team to pursue a case on their behalf.

"I hope such tragedy will not strike anyone else," Suparat Thongphui lamented. Her husband was killed in the April 10 clash.

Suwimon Foongklinjan said she lost her son in the incident and could not understand why the government was so brutal.

"The government should take the responsibility for using war weapons against barehanded protesters," she complained.

Like Suwimon, Sangwan Suttisen did not believe in the government claim that "men in black" from the red-shirt movement killed red-shirt demonstrators on April 10.

"The red shirts didn't have any weapons. How could they kill each other?" Sangwan said. Her husband was shot dead while waving a red flag.

Sangwan said it was unclear who shot her husband. "But if Abhisit hadn't ordered the dispersal operation, my husband would not have died," she said.

The widow said she came to Pheu Thai for help because she did not know to whom she should turn.

Red-shirt demonstrators or supporters of the DAAD have been rallying in Bangkok since March, demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House of Representatives immediately.

Initially, they rallied at the Phan Fah Bridge.

As the rally dragged on, they decided to gather at the Rajprasong intersection too to step up pressure on the government. In the face of the rally, many businesses in the area had no choice but to shut down temporarily.

Following the April 10 incident, the anti-government shifted to the Rajprasong intersection. Thousands of demonstrators have stayed there despite the government declaring a state of emergency and asking them to stop occupying such a central shopping area.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary general to the prime minister and acting government spokesman, said yesterday the government would send a text note to demonstrators' cell phones to tell them they should leave Rajprasong and use other means to express their opinions.

"Via SMS, we will also inform them that we can send them home before we start other operations," Panitan said.

The government will start sending SMS to the demonstrators today after other channels of communication, including leaflets, did not prove effective enough.

Panitan said the government wanted to restore the Rajprasong intersection to normal as soon as possible.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Medical staff tell of panic

By Jeerawan Prasomsap

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Medical workers, including doctors and nurses at Chulalongkorn University, yesterday told of the pressure of their feelings after a group of 200 anti-government protesters stormed into the hospital last week in search of troops and police hiding there.

" At that time, nobody could guarantee we would be safe or not," a nurse at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Supaporn Srithangsirikul said in trembling tones.

She was speaking on the violence at a round table discussion at the Thai Journalists' Association.

Supaporn said she was not there at the time anti-government protesters stormed into the hospital on April 10 - but the hospital's director had asked her to go down to Jong Konnee building where representatives of anti-government protesters, hospital executives and police were meeting.

About 10 minutes later, she heard what sounded like a gunshot and she and her colleagues fled to another room.

While hiding there, she heard a bell - the signal of a patient asking for assistance.

She said she and her colleagues crouched down on the floor as they made their way to the patient's bed.

"We had no idea if we would be safe or not - but we had to help the patient because this was our duty," she said.

As the coordinator of an organ transplant network, Supaporn said many patients waiting for organ transplants had lost the opportunity to receive medical treatment during the past few weeks.

"We were informed there were 5-6 deceased donors who'd donated their organs and this could help 4-5 patients - but we could not give this new life opportunity to the patients."

"Some had waited for the organ transplantation for their whole lives - but had now missed the chance," she said.

Supaporn said she wept when she saw the patient evacuation on TV.

Meanwhile, Dr Somkiet Sangwattanaroj, a cardiologist, said he had told his colleagues not to be afraid of the situation.

He said he did not agree with the decision of executives to close the hospital, as patients would lose the opportunity to receive continuous medication and maintain their condition

But for safety reasons, the hospital needed to close the doors and transfer patients to other places, which would be safe for them. However, movement depended on a patient's wishes.

"As we are doctors, no matter what happened we had to protect patients," he said,

"I want to beg anyone not to storm the hospital again. I hope Chulalongkorn Hospital would be the last place stormed by protesters," he said.

Chulalongkorn Hospital has so far reopened only the emergency medical services unit located at Jong Konnee Building from7.30am. to 4pm.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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@RichardBarrow: PM says plan is to contain demonstration at Ratchaprasong & to cut off their supplies /BkkPost

@RichardBarrow: Police may put Seh Daeng on national list of terrorists /Bangkok Post

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@RichardBarrow: The biggest shopping malls in Bangkok, like Paragon, Central World & Siam Discovery, remain closed until further notice.

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MCOTEnglishnews: Doctors, nurses of Chulalongkorn Hospital sing national anthem, show placards expressing their impartial stance

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MCOR: Man with Red Shirt identity card arrested for carrying .38mm pistol, bullets, claiming for self-defence

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PM: Resolution to political turmoil to be ready in 1-2 days

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government is expediting plans to resolve the current political crisis in order to create peace and unity, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's message to the Japanese press yesterday.

The Thai premier cited that the plan is speculated to be ready in one to two days, which will shorten the nine-month Parliament dissolution time period. He reiterated that the situation did not call for the government to enforce martial law, which would delegate power to the military forces to clear the anti-government protesters.

Mr Abhisit expressed confidence in the government’s abilities to relieve the current political turmoil by establishing plans and utilizing measures that are in accordance with the law.

However, enforcing a crackdown on protesters would be difficult at the moment, due to the presence of many innocent groups such as women and children, said Mr Abhisit.

Mr Abhisit also dismissed the need for international help to act as a mediator for both sides, citing that it is an internal issue.

The eight-week political protests of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) group in the Thai capital has led to the occupation of Bangkok's main tourist and shopping district at Ratchaprasong junction, paralyzing operations of major shopping malls and hotels. On 10 April 2010, the military clashes between the UDD group near Democracy Monument had left at least 25 people dead.

Any plans enforced by the government would have to be able to create long-term unity and benefit the Thai nation, said Mr Abhisit, stressing on the importance of law that governs all procedures and measures.

Meanwhile, while evidence of lèse majesté, distortion of information dissemination and conspiracies to overthrow the monarchy has been collected, the Thai premier said that more evidence is needed before continuing with the procedures.

-- NNT 2010-05-03

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Chulalongkorn Hospital reschedules 200 patients' appointments

Some 200 patients turned up at the Chulalongkorn Hospital Monday morning to have their appointments with doctors rescheduled.

The hospital continued to suspend its medical services as the red-shirt protesters refused to clear the Rajdamri Road from Saladaeng to Sarasin intersections.

The hospital provided only emergency medical services on the Chongkolni Building on the side of Henri Dunant Road.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Senate kicks off debate on political crisis

The Senate Monday kicked off a debate on the on-going political crisis Monday morning.

The Senate meeting started at 9:30 am. The debate would continue until midnight.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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THB 388 mn sought to assist workers and businesses affected by rally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Labor prepares to provide assistance to workers affected by the various anti-government demonstration sites that has caused temporary unemployment as hotels and businesses in the area faced reduced earnings, while some have temporarily closed their operations.

According to Labor Minister Phaitoon Kaeothong, the minister is prepared to propose an assistance budget worth 388 million THB to businesses and workers affected by the UDD demonstrators in Ratchadamnoen Road, Ratchaprasong junction and nearby areas as well as Silom.

Those affected and in need for assistance will be given 3,000 THB per person. This includes up to 93,775 people, and a total of 281.3 million THB. Meanwhile 1,500 street vendors at Phan Fah Bridge and Ratchaprasong have received 10,000 THB per person, or a total of 15 million THB.

The ministry has also prepared 86 million THB in budget to enroll 20,000 street vendors to learn additional skills for a career transition. For business operators, the ministry has postponed the social security fund payment due date from March-May to August.

The figures and the measures will be proposed to the Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Mr Phaitoon disclosed that since an operation center was established to assist workers affected by the UDD protests, a recorded 1,786 business operators and employees have asked the center for assistance since 20 March 2010. Of the total, 947 are employers and 839 are workers.

-- NNT 2010-05-03

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Abhisit attends Senate meeting

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva attended the Senate meeting Monday morning to answer senators' questions on the red-shirt protests.

The Senate held a special debate on the on political crisis stemmed from the red-shirt demonstrations.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Solution may be reached at special senate meeting today

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A special senate meeting will commence today, to provide a stage for the Cabinet to clarify its plans to end the current political turmoil.

According to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, the meeting will allow the government to seek a resolution to the current political turbulence while the senate will be providing assistance in giving advice and logical suggestions. Mr Prasopsuk commented that political tension in the Kingdom will be able to subside as the premier recently announced that house dissolution may happen faster than nine months. At least, this may lead to another round of negotiations, said the senate speaker.

However the meeting this time will prohibit members from bringing in audio clips or pictures to prevent any conflicts.

The no-confidence meeting is set to commence at 09.30 hrs.

Meanwhile, security measures are heightened as more police and security officers were deployed at the points of entrance and exit.

-- NNT 2010-05-03

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MCOTEnglishnews: Senate Speaker Prosobsuk says there's still way out to country's political crisis as Senate's non-voting general session begins Monday

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41 schools near UDD rally site establishes safety measures

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Education has prepared to provide safety measures for the schools near the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) rally site in Ratchaprasong junction, according to Education Minister, Chinnaworn Boonyakiat.

Mr Chinnaworn said that the ministry has met with the 41 schools in the rally area, instructing the schools to create plans for implementing safety measures, including records of phone numbers and coordination centers and measures for potential terrorist attacks.

Mr Chinnaworn urged the UDD protestors to seek the importance of the rallies affecting school operations and roads, as rallies have led to closures of the schools and postponement of classes and examinations.

The education minister reiterated that the Thai premier is currently working endlessly to expedite solutions of the return of normalcy citing that the first initiative is to negotiate, and seek opinions from various groups while the implementations of measures will be within the confines of the law.

-- NNT 2010-05-03

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MCOTEnglishnews: Suthep: Security forces seek to retake Ratchaprasong intersection; Lives of Red Shirt leaders not guaranteed if they defy security operation

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ThaivisaNews: RAINING HARD IN BANGKOK: The Thai strategy of waiting for the rain that worked centuries ago against the Burmese in Ayuthaya may work for the government today! My prediction is that many of the Red Shirts will self-disburse from behind their gasoline-soaked tire and spiked bamboo barricades before the police and army ...move in to clear the streets. Tires have a hard time burning in the rain! Let it rain!

Thaivisa Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

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THE NATION: Suthep: Red leaders won't necessarily be captured alive if they resist arrest with firearms.

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THE NATION: TV Channel 9 quoted psychiatrists as saying serious political stress is dangerously spreading, esp on social media.

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Kwanchai alleges Chulalongkorn Hospital plays politics

Kwanchai Praiphana, a red-shirt leader, said Monday that the protesters would not leave the Rajdamri Road as demanded by Chulalongkorn Hospital.

He said it was enough for the protesters to open two lanes - each on both sides of the road beside the hospital.

The hospital demanded the protesters to leave the road from Saladaeng to Sarasin intersections for safety of medical personnel and patients.

Kwanchai said the red-shirt leaders already gave in to demand of Metropolitan police Pol Lt Gen Santhan Chayanon but the hospital still made more demand.

"The hospital is now playing political game," Kwanchai said.

He also challenged the government to use force to break up the rally on the road.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Thai Senate meets on political unrest

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand’s Senate Monday is holding a non-voting general session on the current political turmoil in the country to discuss solutions to the crisis, characterised by bombings and street protests by anti-government protesters demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva quit his post and call for fresh general elections.

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said the general session is expected to end at midnight. It allows senators speaking privileges for 12 hours, with the government having about two hours to answer their queries.

Mr Prasopsuk said the senators would advise the government ways to end the political deadlock after the meeting.

He the believed national political reform to be proposed by Mr Abhisit in which House dissolution could be shortened from nine months, proposed earlier by the prime minister during talks with key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in late March, could be a way out to the political problem and lead to a fresh negotiations between UDD protesters and the government.

A neutral party has approached to act as a negotiations go-between, Mr Prasopsuk said, but he did not disclose who the neutral party was.

Meanwhile, several hundred staff of Chulalongkorn Hospital and Thai Red Cross Society employees early Monday gathered at the hospital and sang the national anthem, urging peace to be restored at the hospital as soon as possible.

Last Thursday night, a group of UDD protesters camped in front of Chula Hospital entered its premises they suspected that armed soldiers were hiding there. No armed soldiers were found after the raid, but inpatients were evacuated to other hospitals.

Red Shirt protesters continue to maintain barricades stretching from the entrance of the emergency building of the hospital to Sarasin Road which is about a kilometer away. Both the government and the hospital have demanded that the protesters open Ratchadamri Road from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin Road but UDD leaders refused.

Holding placards saying Chulalongkorn Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society are neutral and are responsible for treating patients, officials of both units urged protesters not to interfere with the duties performed by their workers in saving human lives and to return the areas surrounding the hospital.

Because of the boisterous protest, the hospital’s emergency unit has been temporary moved to the ground floor of a nearby building, further away from the protest site. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-03

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THE NATION: Nation Chanel just aired the VDO Interview of Thaksin.

THE NATION: Our political editor @jin_nation on Thaksin clip: "Definitely him. Only one man talks like that."

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ThaivisaNews: Comptroller General's Department: 49,000,000,000 Baht of seized assets of fugitive Thaksin and family have been transferred from six banks to the state.

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THE NATION: Now what u r all waiting for, the Thaksin voice clip: @Naya_nna http://bit.ly/cssXBs

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THE NATION: PM gives intv to AP, DPA, AAP, IHT, France Radio, Asia Times at 11th Regiment

@RichardBarrow: Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Chula Hosp & expressed concern for the physicians, nurses and other staff /BkkPost

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Govt Prepares to Disperse Red-shirt Gathering

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation has prepared armored vehicles and has ordered anti-government red-shirt protesters to leave their rally site or else they will be arrested.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-03

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Chai calls joint Hous-Senate meeting Friday to discuss charter amendments

Parliament President Chai Chidchob scheduled a joint House-Senate meeting Friday to discuss charter amendments proposed by 102 coalition MPs and a civic group.

Chai called MPs and senators to a meeting at 9 am.

Put on the meeting agenda were charter amendments proposed by a civil charter amendment committee and 102 MPs from coalition partners.

The meeting would discuss frameworks for holding negotiations with Laos and Cambodia over border disputes.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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